American Football League History

AFL: 1960-1970 (11 seasons)

The AFL began in relative obscurity but eventually thrived, with an initial television contract with the ABC network. The AFL's existence forced the conservative NFL to expand to Dallas and Minnesota in an attempt to destroy the new league. Meanwhile, the AFL introduced many new features: official time on the scoreboard clock, optional two-point conversions by pass or run after
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The AFL began in relative obscurity but eventually thrived, with an initial television contract with the ABC network. The AFL's existence forced the conservative NFL to expand to Dallas and Minnesota in an attempt to destroy the new league. Meanwhile, the AFL introduced many new features: official time on the scoreboard clock, optional two-point conversions by pass or run after touchdowns; names on the jerseys of players, and including expansion of the role of minority players actively recruited by the league in contrast to the NFL. The AFL also signed several star college players that had also been drafted by NFL teams. The bidding war for players ended in 1966, when NFL owners approached the AFL regarding a merger. This agreement provided for a common draft that would take place each year, and it instituted an annual World Championship game, known as the Super Bowl. In 1970 the AFL became the AFC within the NFL. (show less)